By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

HURLEY — East Central registered one of its biggest wins of the season Tuesday night.

The Hornets took a major step towards securing home-field advantage in the opening round of the upcoming Class 5A South State playoffs with a 12-2 thumping of visiting Wayne County in Region 4-5A play. The win moves ECHS to two full games ahead of the War Eagles in the region race, as the Hornets sit in sole possession of second place at 7-6.

East Central needs one more win, either Thursday night in Wayneboro or Friday afternoon back at home, to secure the number two seed and earn home-field advantage to open the postseason for the first time in two years when it won its second straight Class 5A state title.

Porter Martin went the complete six inning distance on the mound to earn the pitching win for ECHS, allowing just two hits and striking out three.

Belive it or not, the War Eagles took an early 1-0 lead in their first at bat before the Hornets responded immediately with a two-run triple off the bat of Matthew Combs in the bottom of the first to give the home team a lead it would never relinquish.

Jaxon Cripps carried the big stick at the plate for ECHS, as he had two hits including a grand slam in the bottom of the third frame, and drove in a career and game-high six runs in the rout.

Along with Combs, Christian McFaul also drove in two runs and Anthony Tanner posted a double.